Latest News and Breaking Stories

live U.S. and Iran hold direct talks in Pakistan aimed at ending the Middle East conflict - Saturday, 11 April

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and U.S. Vice President JD Vance have arrived in Islamabad for talks aimed at easing regional tensions, as Pakistan hosts the discussions. Meanwhile, Lebanon and Israel are set to hold rare negotiations in Washington next Tuesday.

Trump’s Gaza peace plan faces doubts as Board of Peace rejects funding shortage claims

08:09

Gaza Board of Peace

Trump’s Gaza peace plan faces doubts as Board of Peace rejects funding shortage claims

Donald Trump’s flagship plan for post-war Gaza has come under scrutiny after reports that its financing is falling short of expectations, claims firmly rejected by the White House-backed Board of Peace.

Iraq’s parliament elects Nizar Amedi as the country’s new president

19:03

Iraqi parliament

Iraq’s parliament elects Nizar Amedi as the country’s new president

The Iraqi parliament on Saturday elected Kurdish politician Nizar Amedi as the country's new president, following a parliamentary election last November.

Why Israel and Lebanon are set for rare U.S. talks amid escalating conflict

09:32

Explainer

Why Israel and Lebanon are set for rare U.S. talks amid escalating conflict

Israeli and Lebanese envoys are set to meet in Washington on Tuesday in a rare U.S.-driven diplomatic effort to halt escalating violence between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah movement in Lebanon.

Russia vows it will never abandon Cuba amid escalating U.S. pressure and energy crisis

13:22

Cuba Russia Relations

Russia vows it will never abandon Cuba amid escalating U.S. pressure and energy crisis

In a forceful rebuke to Washington’s foreign policy in the Americas, a senior Russian diplomat has declared that Moscow will never abandon Cuba, pledging ongoing support to help the Communist-run island overcome a severe energy crisis linked to the United States embargo.

Region

South Caucasus Central Asia Middle East

Kazakhstan and Armenia expand cooperation as South Caucasus transport routes reopen

11:40

View from Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan and Armenia expand cooperation as South Caucasus transport routes reopen

Kazakhstan and Armenia are moving to deepen bilateral ties as shifting dynamics in the South Caucasus reopen long-blocked transport routes and create new economic opportunities.

CHP Ankara chair Ümit Erkol detained in İzmir corruption probe

13:35

Corruption Case

CHP Ankara chair Ümit Erkol detained in İzmir corruption probe

Ankara Provincial Chair of Cumhuriyet Halk Partisi (CHP), Ümit Erkol, has been detained as part of a corruption investigation linked to a cooperative in İzmir, Turkish media reported.

Uzbekistan expands privatisation drive and launches VAT refunds for foreign tourists

19:27

View from Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan expands privatisation drive and launches VAT refunds for foreign tourists

Uzbekistan is advancing plans to reduce the state’s role in the economy while introducing a VAT refund system for foreign visitors, as part of broader efforts to attract investment and boost tourism.

Kazakhstan to hold parliamentary election in August, president says

15:47

Kazakhstan elections

Kazakhstan to hold parliamentary election in August, president says

Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, the president of Kazakhstan, said on Friday (10 April) that a parliamentary election in the Central Asian country would take place in August but stopped short of naming an exact date.

2min ago

Middle East conflict

live U.S. and Iran hold direct talks in Pakistan aimed at ending the Middle East conflict - Saturday, 11 April

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and U.S. Vice President JD Vance have arrived in Islamabad for talks aimed at eas...

UK puts Chagos Islands handover deal on hold after U.S. withdraws support

1h ago

Politics

UK puts Chagos Islands handover deal on hold after U.S. withdraws support

Britain’s plan to transfer the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, which host a strategic U.K.-U.S. military base, has been put on indefinite hold a...

3h ago

Iraqi parliament

Iraq’s parliament elects Nizar Amedi as the country’s new president

The Iraqi parliament on Saturday elected Kurdish politician Nizar Amedi as the country's new president, f...

U.S.-Iran talks open in Pakistan as Lebanon ceasefire and sanctions tensions persist

6h ago

Peace Talks

U.S.-Iran talks open in Pakistan as Lebanon ceasefire and sanctions tensions persist

Talks between the United States and Iran opened in Islamabad on Saturday (11 April) as the two sides sought to turn a fragile temporary ceasefir...

Djibouti’s Guelleh secures sixth term with overwhelming election win

8h ago

Presidential Election

Djibouti’s Guelleh secures sixth term with overwhelming election win

Ismail Omar Guelleh has been re-elected for a sixth term with 97.8% of the vote, according to state media, extending his nearly three-...

Lithuania and Azerbaijan ties grow amid EU strategic shift

15:07

Diplomacy

Lithuania and Azerbaijan ties grow amid EU strategic shift

Lithuania’s Prime Minister’s visit to Azerbaijan on 9 April signals a deepening strategic dialogue between Baku and European partners. Analysts say economic interests and geopolitical shifts are driving closer engagement.

World

World News

13:19

Hungary Election

Hungary election: Five things to know as Orbán faces his toughest challenge in 16 years

Hungary votes on Sunday in a parliamentary election that could loosen Viktor Orbán’s 16-year hold on power. His ruling Fidesz faces a strong challenge from Péter Magyar’s Tisza party, which has led some polls, though many voters remain undecided.

20:53

Prince Harry

Prince Harry faces libel claim from Sentebale charity at High Court

A charity co-founded by Prince Harry in honour of his late mother, Princess Diana, is suing him for libel at the High Court in London, according to a court record published on Friday (10 April).

China's Xi meets Taiwan opposition leader in rare talks, urges closer ties but rejects independence

10:18

Diplomacy

China's Xi meets Taiwan opposition leader in rare talks, urges closer ties but rejects independence

Chinese President Xi Jinping has told Taiwan opposition leader Cheng Li-wun that “people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait are Chinese” and that the future of cross-strait ties should be decided by “the Chinese people themselves”.

Republicans block Democrat's move to curb Trump’s Iran war powers

09:48

U.S. politics

Republicans block Democrat's move to curb Trump’s Iran war powers

U.S. President Donald Trump’s fellow Republicans in the House of Representatives have blocked an attempt led by House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries to restrict presidential war powers over military action involving Iran.

Business

Business Economy Markets

11:37

View from China

French fashion brand Maison Margiela bets on China with global debut in Shanghai

A French fashion label is placing China at the heart of its global ambitions, choosing Shanghai for its worldwide debut in a move that shows growing confidence in the country’s consumer market and cultural influence.

Disney plans up to 1,000 job cuts in latest cost‑cutting move, report says

08:33

Entertainment

Disney plans up to 1,000 job cuts in latest cost‑cutting move, report says

Walt Disney is planning to cut up to 1,000 jobs in the coming weeks, with many of the reductions expected to affect its marketing division, The Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday, citing sources familiar with the plans.

07:34

EV Transition

EV transition slows as U.S.-China competition impacts regional markets

Major automakers showcased new electric vehicles at the New York Auto Show this week, under the slogan “electrification is the future." However, weakening demand in the United States and intense competition with China are raising questions for markets across the globe, including the South Caucasus.

U.S. petrol prices top $4 a gallon amid Iran conflict and energy market turmoil

14:48

Energy supply

U.S. petrol prices top $4 a gallon amid Iran conflict and energy market turmoil

The U.S. national average retail price of petrol rose above $4 a gallon for the first time in over three years on Monday (30 March), according to GasBuddy data, as the U.S.–Israeli war with Iran continued to roil global energy markets.

Japan, Indonesia step up energy ties as U.S.-Israeli Iran war strains supplies

14:16

Energy crisis

Japan, Indonesia step up energy ties as U.S.-Israeli Iran war strains supplies

Japan and Indonesia will deepen coordination on energy security, Tokyo said, as the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran disrupts vital oil and gas flows to Asia.

Culture

Culture News Lifestyle Art

Rapper Megan Thee Stallion hospitalised after falling ill on Broadway during Moulin Rouge performance

08:18

Entertainment

Rapper Megan Thee Stallion hospitalised after falling ill on Broadway during Moulin Rouge performance

Grammy-winning rapper Megan Thee Stallion was hospitalised in New York City after she fell ill mid-performance during a Broadway production of 'Moulin Rouge! The Musical'.

Eurovision expands to Asia with first contest set for 2026

14:07

Culture

Eurovision expands to Asia with first contest set for 2026

The European Broadcasting Union and global entertainment company Voxovation have announced that the first-ever Eurovision Song Contest Asia will take place in 2026, with Bangkok selected to host the inaugural edition.

Taylor Swift and 'Showgirl' dominate iHeartRadio Music Awards

07:56

Entertainment

Taylor Swift and 'Showgirl' dominate iHeartRadio Music Awards

Music superstar Taylor Swift scored a leading seven trophies at the iHeartRadio Music Awards on Thursday including artist of the year and best pop album for the upbeat record "The Life of a Showgirl."

AI to recreate Val Kilmer's performance in film after actor’s death

15:40

Film Innovation

AI to recreate Val Kilmer's performance in film after actor’s death

Late Hollywood actor Val Kilmer will appear posthumously in the upcoming film "As Deep as the Grave" through the use of generative artificial intelligence, in what producers describe as a first-of-its-kind performance.

Most viewed

Netanyahu instructs cabinet to start peace talks with Lebanon 'as soon as possible' - Thursday 9 April

00:00

Middle East conflict

Netanyahu instructs cabinet to start peace talks with Lebanon 'as soon as possible' - Thursday 9 April

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he has given an instruction for Israel to begin peace talks with Lebanon that would also include the disarming of Hezbollah.

22:22

Middle East conflict

live U.S. and Iran hold direct talks in Pakistan aimed at ending the Middle East conflict - Saturday, 11 April

Middle East tensions simmer as U.S.–Iran talks loom and strike kills 13- Friday, 10 April

04:10

Middle East Conflict

Middle East tensions simmer as U.S.–Iran talks loom and strike kills 13- Friday, 10 April

Amid fragile calm, António Guterres urged constructive U.S.- Iran talks, while Pope Leo XIV warned violence is spreading. Lebanon's President said an Israeli strike killed 13 security personnel in Nabatieh.

Dubai caps flights, raising pressure on Indian airlines and travel sector

11:58

Travel Restrictions

Dubai caps flights, raising pressure on Indian airlines and travel sector

Dubai has restricted foreign airlines to one daily flight to its airports until 31 May due to the Iran crisis, raising fears of significant revenue losses for Indian carriers, industry letters show.

Putin announces Orthodox Easter ceasefire as Russia and Ukraine exchange bodies of fallen soldiers

08:16

Russia-Ukraine war

Putin announces Orthodox Easter ceasefire as Russia and Ukraine exchange bodies of fallen soldiers

Russian President Vladimir Putin announced on Thursday an Easter ceasefire with Ukraine lasting 32-hours and said that Kyiv has agreed to abide by the measure. The ceasefire is expected to begin at 16:00 (13:00 GMT) on Saturday 11 April and last until midnight Sunday 12 April, the Kremlin said.

Health

Health news Healthcare

Six new meningitis cases reported in UK bringing total to 27

18:14

Mingitis Outbreak UK

Six new meningitis cases reported in UK bringing total to 27

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said that as of Wednesday evening, it has identified six new cases of meningococcal disease in Kent, bringing the total of confirmed or suspected cases to at least 27.

WHO maps out $2m for Lebanon, Iraq and Syria, warns of health crisis as conflict escalates

10:40

Middle East Conflict

WHO maps out $2m for Lebanon, Iraq and Syria, warns of health crisis as conflict escalates

The World Health Organization (WHO) has released $2m in emergency funding to support health responses in Lebanon, Iraq and Syria as escalating regional conflict strains hospitals, raises displacement and increases pressure on already fragile health systems.

China turns to AI and IVF tech as falling birth rates raise alarm

10:54

View from China

China turns to AI and IVF tech as falling birth rates raise alarm

A Chinese biotechnology company is stepping up efforts to combine artificial intelligence (AI) with advanced genetic testing in a bid to improve the success rates of in vitro fertilization (IVF), while also tapping into growing demand for fertility services.

Austria moves to ban social media for children under 14

11:54

Europe tech rules

Austria moves to ban social media for children under 14

Austria’s government on Friday approved plans to introduce a nationwide ban on social media use for children under the age of 14, alongside reforms to upper secondary school curricula aimed at boosting media literacy and Artificial Intelligence (AI) education from the 2027/28 academic year.

Scottish lawmakers vote against bill legalising assisted dying

12:17

Health news

Scottish lawmakers vote against bill legalising assisted dying

The Scottish Parliament has voted against legalising assisted dying, ending a years-long campaign to make Scotland the first part of the UK to allow the practice.

War in Middle East disrupts medicine shipments to Gulf, raising concerns over cancer drug supply

15:37

Middle East conflict

War in Middle East disrupts medicine shipments to Gulf, raising concerns over cancer drug supply

The war in the Middle East is beginning to disrupt the flow of critical medicines to Gulf countries, raising concerns about the supply of cancer treatments and other temperature-sensitive drugs, according to pharmaceutical industry executives.

Travel

Travel News Destinations

11:58

Travel Restrictions

Dubai caps flights, raising pressure on Indian airlines and travel sector

Dubai has restricted foreign airlines to one daily flight to its airports until 31 May due to the Iran crisis, raising fears of significant revenue losses for Indian carriers, industry letters show.

Middle East crisis disrupts travel flows, $56B loss and millions of trips at risk

20:52

Tourism Impact

Middle East crisis disrupts travel flows, $56B loss and millions of trips at risk

The ongoing conflict involving Iran is set to disrupt global travel on a massive scale, with nearly 28 million outbound trips from the Middle East at risk this year, according to Oxford Economics.

Rome opens Colosseum’s southern walkways as public square for tourists

15:45

Historic Reopening

Rome opens Colosseum’s southern walkways as public square for tourists

The Colosseum in Rome has reopened its southern corridors as a public square following a four-year restoration, giving visitors free access to a long-lost part of the ancient monument. The newly restored area was unveiled on Tuesday (17 March).

Iran conflict slashes Middle East tourism, costing $600M daily

16:20

Middle East Conflict

Iran conflict slashes Middle East tourism, costing $600M daily

The escalating conflict between the U.S., Israel and Iran is already hitting the Middle East travel and tourism sector hard, with the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) estimating losses of at least $600 million per day in international visitor spending.

Green

Green News Climate Nature

Mexicans protest as activists say Gulf of Mexico oil spill has killed wildlife and destroyed reefs

09:45

Climate

Mexicans protest as activists say Gulf of Mexico oil spill has killed wildlife and destroyed reefs

Communities in Mexico have taken to the streets to protest against an ongoing oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico that has killed wildlife and damaged coral reefs over several weeks.

16:15

Climate risks

Central Asia steps up action on rapid glacier melt and climate risks

Central Asia is stepping up efforts to address rapid glacier melt, following United Nations warnings of unprecedented climate pressure on mountain ecosystems.

European airlines likely beat 2% green jet fuel target last year

09:13

European Aviation

European airlines likely beat 2% green jet fuel target last year

Europe's aviation sector hit - and may well have surpassed - a 2% mandate for green jet fuel use in 2025, a regulatory official and a source told Reuters, bolstering airlines' green credentials as the region seeks to cut reliance on hydrocarbons.

WMO warns Earth’s climate imbalance accelerating as key indicators hit record extremes

22:16

Climate Change

WMO warns Earth’s climate imbalance accelerating as key indicators hit record extremes

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has warned that the Earth’s climate system is becoming increasingly unstable, with new evidence showing a growing imbalance in how the planet absorbs and releases energy.

China braces for severe floods and drought in 2026

18:51

China Floods and Drought

China braces for severe floods and drought in 2026

China is preparing for a year of extreme weather in 2026, with authorities warning the country could face both severe flooding and widespread drought, underscoring mounting climate pressures.

Program more

13:28

Board of Peace

Can the Board of Peace deliver on promises to rebuild Gaza - and reshape diplomacy?

In a special edition of Context, Orkhan Amashov reports from Washington on the inaugural meeting of the Board of Peace, examining plans for Gaza’s reconstruction, a proposed stabilisation force, and the wider diplomatic impact of the U.S.-led initiative.

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